summer dress stress - YouLookFab Forum

I live in a very warm climate where summer dresses are a necessity, but I struggle with them for two reasons:

1) I have a wide waist. I'm not apple shaped - my stomach is flat - but I really do not have a defined waist. What makes it worse, and much more frustrating given the clothing options I find most often, is that any attempt to create a waist just makes the skin under the belt or cinched area stick out on the sides so I look fatter than I actually am.

2) I lift weights so I have large biceps. I don't mind that per se, but sometimes I don't want to draw attention to them because I just get tired of people saying dumb things about them. ("Do you work out??" Um, what do you think?)

My ideal summer dress is a t-shirt dress but I actually find them pretty hard to find. And also, I would like to wear more than one kind of dress. I feel like I tend to dress very boring and I hate it. But, it just seems like everything out there is elastic at the waist and sleeveless.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should be looking for to create the illusion of a waist without drawing attention to the widest part of my waist, and to de-emphasize my linebacker upper body? I am looking for casual and work outfits.

Thanks so much.

-Rachel

8 years ago

Anonymous

Will be checking in on this thread. Need the info too

K. Period.

Veteran

Hmmm. No defined waist, larger shoulders. Sounds like me.

I wear shift dresses a lot. They glide over the waist area, so they give the illusion of more curviness than is actually there. I also wear sheath styles for the same reason, but they are trickier. Right now, my favorite "I don't even want to think about it" dress is a Leith Ruched Body-Con dress. I usually wear a 6 in dresses, but had to size up to a large in it to get it loose enough that it isn't clingy. However, sized up, the shape is easy to wear. Stretchy and tee shirt like. And it is good for showing off strong shoulders. It does require that you be comfortable with a slight body con shape, though.

Bumping because this topic deserves more attention.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rachel, it sounds like you have more of a rectangular shape - is that right? If so, a straight shirt dress or fitted sheath works really well. An empire-cut fit and flare can also work - and a few cocoon draped dresses. Here are some visual examples.

Nordstrom

Classiques Entier 'Orizzonte' Ponte Knit Faux Wrap Dress

View Info

Top Pick

Stem Stripe Scoop Back Midi Dress

$58.00 $34.79

Sale

Nordstrom Collection Sandwashed Silk Shirtdress

$298.00 $119.20

Eliza J Graphic Scuba Sheath Dress (Regular & Petite)

Tencel Denim Shirtdress (Regular & Petite)

Cloth & Stone Nila T-Shirt Dress

$118.00 $79.95

'Katie' Cowl Neck High/Low Maxi Dress

Asymmetrical Jersey Dress

$258.00

White House Black Market

Bateau Fit-and-Flare Dress

Diagonal Colorblock Sheath Dress

Suz

You've got a ton of options, I think. It's just a question of trying on and finding a maker who "gets" your body. As for the biceps, let the ones who ask live in fear! You can be proud of them.

It might make sleeves difficult to fit, I suppose.

Eileen Fisher Lightweight Jersey Bateau Neck Knee Length Dress (Regular & Petite)

$178.00

Eileen Fisher Stand Collar A-Line Shift Dress

$158.00 $63.20

Petite Sleeveless Swing Dress

Lord & Taylor

Chambray Shirt Dress | Lord and Taylor

Eileen Fisher Layered Asymmetrical Silk Dress (Regular & Petite) (Online Only)

$378.00 $132.30

AllSaints

Abi Dress

Rachel G

Member

Some of these looks are great, but many of them are sleeveless. I hear what you're saying about not worrying about the biceps thing but I kind of compare it to women with large breasts: I am not ashamed of them, but I don't always want to show them off. I would like to be able to dress for the summer without them being a focal point.

As for my body shape, I would not say rectangle because I actually have large hips and a big butt. I guess I am more like a pear? I think my wide hips help minimize my wife waist, so I think body hugging stuff can look good. I think what I have the most trouble finding can be broke into two categories: 1) shift dresses that aren't sleeveless and 2) interesting, funky dresses that aren't cinched at the middle and aren't sleeveless.

Rachel - I prefer sleeves too. For me, I have wider shoulders and large biceps, and often dresses pull across the top.

My favorite silhouette is a shift dress, since I'm also long through the torso. I really like Donna Morgan shift dresses, but I find them too dressy for the regular summer days.

The only dress I've gotten this summer I got at Nordstrom Rack, and I don't see it online. it's not really what I think we are both looking for though - more casual. Kind of throw on and go. I do have a Fresh Produce dress from last year, and I see some on the Zappos website, so I may try a couple there.

I've tried and returned several dresses thus far, so sorry I can't help more.

Anna

Active Member

I have no waist or even the appearance of a waist. I am straight up and down. And I can't wear sleeveless without a cardi over them. Have giant upper arms. I love shift dresses but I find it accentuates my lack of waist. I wear jackets or a lightweight sweater over them . it hides the sides of my dresses and gives me the appearance of a waist. Just gets hot in the summer.

danskogirl

(Sorry - wrong place for post. *Deleted*)

Rugilerar

Summer dresses are a nightmare and a beautiful dream at the same time! Ahh, know that feeling, I'm looking at myself in the mirror and see only a huge legs... Have no idea how to find a dress which could fit me enough. My mom always tells to wear something below knees because they are just a balls of fat but all the beautiful dresses are above the knee

Janet

Try this dress from Anthro. I find dresses a difficult fit for other reasons (wide hips and thighs, short waist, big boobs), and this dress is great. I think it could work for you.

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